One of the most irresistible foods, pizza, is a favourite choice for a lot of us. Pizza for pregnant ladies has been considered safe. However, the type of cheese and the degree of hotness it is served in means a lot when eating them. Here is an article that will enlist all that you need to know about eating pizza during pregnancy. Watch out for the side-effects and some precautions before eating them.
What is pizza?
Pizza is a dish of Italian origin. The dish is usually round and is made from a flour base. The dough is shaped around and is filled with cheese, vegetables or chicken. Along with the other ingredients, it is baked at high temperature, either over a wood fire or in a special oven.
Is it Safe to Eat Pizza During Pregnancy?
Yes! You can eat pizza during pregnancy. However, it should be ensured that it is cooked properly and is piping hot. Mozzarella is the safest cheese to eat in this period. Be wary of the soft and ripened cheeses like camembert, brie and blue-veined cheese. These kinds of cheeses are said to contain listeria bacteria in higher quantity than any other cheese. When someone is infected with listeria, the person is prone to listeriosis. It causes flu-like symptoms and can be very harmful for the baby.
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While it may so happen that you have a sudden surge of craving for a pizza, such cravings are very common, especially when you are pregnant. In such cases, it is best to eat your pizza piping hot and ensure that it is baked at a very high temperature. This way, pizza craving pregnancy can be tackled.
Health Benefits of Eating Pizza During Pregnancy:
Is pizza healthy during pregnancy? Here is a look into the benefits.
1. Veggie load:
the best way to make your pizza healthy is to indulge in veg pizza in pregnancy. Load your pizza with a lot of fresh vegetables. Boil your vegetables and simply top them in your pizza. This way, you will feel satisfied and also help your body with a lot of vegetables.
2. Pizza base:
If you are wondering what kind of pizza I can eat while pregnant, here is what we recommend. Choose a white flour pizza with mozzarella cheese. A thin crust pizza made of whole wheat will be highly beneficial as whole wheat adds lesser calories and a lot more fibre to the body.
3. Cheese:
Be mindful of the cheese you choose. We recommend you choose mozzarella. Cottage cheese and cheddar are good sources of protein and calcium.
Is Pizza Harmful During Pregnancy?
Here are some things you need to know and are the possible side effects.
1. Calories:
Be mindful of the calories you add to the body. Pizza base and cheese have to choose correctly so that you add only fibre and not calories to your body. A higher dose of calorie will unnecessarily add to body weight.
2. Heartburn:
This is not just a result of eating pizza. However, eating food high in fat or eating too much can cause heartburn.
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How to Eat Pizza When Pregnant:
Ensure that the base of the pizza is only whole wheat. Whole wheat is less on calories and high on fibre. High fibre is desirable for the body. Choose cheddar, mozzarella, and cottage are the safest options for cheese. Also, load with your pizza with a lot of veggies. This way, your pizza becomes healthy.
Top Recipes of Pizza:
Here is another way to ensure that the pizza you eat is perfectly safe and is healthy for you and the baby. Check out the best recipes for pizza.
1. Squash, Kale and Chicken Pizza:
What you’ll need:
Pizza base
- 1 cup of squash puree
- Chicken breast (cooked in 2 teaspoons of oil)
- One cup of kale, finely chopped
- 1 cup of chopped mushrooms
- 3 tablespoon of pumpkin seeds
- Pasteurized goat cheese
- 1 sliced leek
- 4 teaspoons of olive oil
- One teaspoon of vinegar (balsamic)
- 1/4th teaspoon of salt
- ¼ teaspoon of black pepper
- One teaspoon of brown sugar
- 1 cup of chopped puree
Procedure:
Begin by preheating the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. On the other side, mix together squash puree, sage, salt and pepper in a bowl. Heat two teaspoons of oil and begin to saute the leak until they turn brown. To this, add balsamic vinegar, a little pinch of sugar. Mix this and keep it aside. Now, to the freshly made pizza base, spread the squash mixture. Top it with chicken, mushrooms, leek, kale and chopped squash—finally, the cheese. Ake the pizza for about 15 minutes and garnish it with pumpkin seeds. Serve hot.
2. Basil and Olive Pizza:
What you’ll need:
- Thin crust pizza base
- ½ cup of basil leaves
- Half cup of chopped tomatoes
- ½ cup of broccoli
- ½ cup of green bell peppers
- ¼ cup of black olives, sliced
- 1 cup of cheese
- Tomato cheese
Procedure:
Begin by preheating the oven at 400-degree Fahrenheit. To the pizza crust, spread tomato sauce. Add the cheese and top it with all the vegetables—Cook for about 15 minutes. Serve hot.
3. Farm Fresh:
What you’ll need:
- ½ cup of bell peppers (mixed colours)
- ½ cup tomato
- Half cup of sweet corn
- ½ cup of baby corn
- Half cup of mushrooms
- ½ cup of olives
- Tomato sauce
- Cheese
Procedure:
Begin by heating the oven at 400-degree Fahrenheit. Spread the tomato sauce evenly on the thin crust of the whole wheat pizza base. To this, grate some cheese and add all the vegetables. Top it with cheese and set it for baking. Garnish with basil leaves and serve it piping hot. Here is the healthier version of domino’s pizza during pregnancy made perfectly at home.
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Precautions to Take While Having Pizza During Pregnancy:
Here are some things you should be wary of.
- Ensure that the cheese you buy or use is made from pasteurized milk only. Do not hesitate to ask about the kind of cheese, even if you are eating cheese pizza during pregnancy.
- Eat pizza when it is served to you hot. When you keep it, and it gets cold, chances are the bacteria present in the cheese will start to grow. This can be unhealthy.
- Ensure that your pizza is cooked properly. Raw meat and seafood can add to the health issue.
- Smoked and refrigerated seafood will have listeria bacteria growing on them, and this can be dangerous for the mother and her baby.
Pizza during pregnancy first trimester or any time later can be taken and sure is safe. Remember to follow our instructions on eating your pizza while pregnant. Homemade pizzas are always a safe bet, and so we urge you to try out the recipes or get creative to suit your taste.
